title: Food stamp participation is associated with fewer meals away from home, yet higher body mass index and waist circumference in a nationally representative sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations between Food Stamp (FS) participation, meals away from home (MAFH), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nationally representative.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from low-income, FS-eligible individuals (N = 945) ages 20-65 years, responding to the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  MAFH per week, BMI, and WC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between FS participation and MAFH, BMI, and WC, adjusting for age, sex, race, and education level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Food Stamp authorization was associated with fewer MAFH (P = .004). Among females, FS authorization was associated with higher BMI (P = .04) and WC (P = .04). Among females reporting amount of benefits in the prior month, more FS benefits received were associated with lower BMI (P = .03) and WC (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seemingly contradictory results regarding associations between FS authorization and FS benefits received in the previous month and BMI and WC should be explored further. Effective nutrition education and environmental change strategies are needed, particularly among female FS recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA . jilcotts@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jilcott
authors.forename: Haiyong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Katrina D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Dubose
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kranz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty; D011632:Public Assistance; D012147:Restaurants; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult